Building razing OK’d

Tuesday

Feb 5, 2013 at 12:35 PMFeb 5, 2013 at 12:36 PM

Lois Westermeyer

A bid of $7,450 was approved by the Pontiac City Council Monday evening for demolition of the vacant apartment building at 718 W. Washington St.Chris Brock, street department superintendent, informed the council that seven demolition bids had been submitted, ranging from the low $7,450 to a high $22,498. He noted that two bids were not from a Pontiac company. He suggested the council go with the low bid, submitted by Opperman Construction of Pontiac.The superintendent said he expected demolition would occur this month.The apartment building is across the street from the city’s depot and was destroyed by fire several months ago.The owner of the building gave the property to the city.Before demolition bids could be obtained, the city had to do an asbestos survey. Asbestos was found in a 15-by-15-foot area and was removed in January. Brock said the asbestos study and subsequent removal cost about $6,000.He also noted that the bid did not contain the cost of dumping the materials in the landfill. He said that would cost the city another $3,000 to $4,000.Mayor Bob Russell said he has been talking to Amtrak officials about the city’s plans for the lot once it is vacant.“I’ve said it will be a landscaped area for the most part,” but a portion may contain a walkway to the depot, he said. “We are just in preliminary talks right now, but it will be nice to have that building down and removed,” he added.Brock stated the demolition bid covers taking down the building and foundation walls, while city workers will fill and grade the area.In another matter, the council set a special meeting next Monday, Feb. 11, at 5 p.m. for a public hearing concerning pursuit of a sewer treatment plant grant.Todd Campbell, sewer department superintendent, told council members the city recently became aware of the availability of Community Development Assistance Program grants.“I believe there are 16 grants available for a total of $7 million. We would apply for the maximum grant ceiling of $450,000 to continue storm sewer work on the north end of town,” he said.The city has already completed some work of installing separate storm drains along Mill and Cleary streets to keep the sewer system from flooding during heavy rains.The city has just two weeks to get surveys completed and the grant applied for, Campbell said.Because of a public hearing requirement, the city will hold a special meeting Monday at 5 p.m. to hear public comment and approve a resolution to submit a grant application.If approved, the city’s portion of the grant would be 25 percent of the project’s estimated $685,000 cost.The city is looking to commit $150,000 from the Sewer Capital Improvement fund and another $85,000, which is in-kind payment from having city engineer Brian Verdun handle the engineering duties of the project. The city is actually committing to pay 34 percent of the project, which may help in grant selection, as the CDAP grants are competitive, Campbell noted.

“This is such a cost saver to the city,” the mayor stated. “Having rain water not go through the sewer treatment plant saves on electricity as well as wear and tear on equipment. Replacing those pumps is very expensive and these separate lines really help spare this equipment,” Russell said.The city also has to conduct surveys from homeowners in the area of proposed work and Campbell said to expedite the matter, employees went to homes and put the surveys around doorknobs. He said the grant requires about 100 surveys be delivered, with 70 percent returned. He said they have received very few surveys so far and may go back to the homes to pick them up if necessary. Deadline for grant submission is Feb. 15.Council members also approved Verdun’s request to bid four initial street projects for this coming year.The four projects include Rittenhouse Drive, Newport Road, Timber Street and Oak Street. Work for Rittenhouse Drive and Newport Road would include taking out the asphalt and replacing it with concrete streets. Work on Timber Street would be an asphalt overlay, with the old asphalt removed and replaced. Oak Street will have a basic bid of asphalt work, with an alternative bid for concrete. Verdun said the prices would then be compared.“Concrete has a higher up-front cost, but has a longer life, we’ll just have to see were those two bids end up,” he said.City Administrator Bob Karls told council members that health insurance coverage needed to be renewed and that premium costs for city employees increased by 2.5 percent, a lower amount than the city was bracing for.“We were watching other insurers and with their numbers we thought it could be higher, we’re thrilled with the increase being just 2.5 percent,” he said.The city’s annual cost for its share of health insurance through Blue Cross/Blue Shield will be $875,000 for about 80 employees.In other matters, the council:• Heard from Patrick Doggett of Crescent City, who works for U.S. Congressman Adam Kinzinger, that he would be in Pontiac from 2 to 3 p.m. Wednesday at City Council Chambers to hear any constituent concerns. He said he expects to conduct traveling office hours every few months. Kinzinger has a district office in Ottawa and a newly opened satellite office in Watseka.• Authorized letting bids for replacement of five manholes, expected to cost around $25,000.• Approved an intergovernmental agreement between the city and Livingston County, which is donating office furniture left on the second floor of the Pontiac Public Library. The county had been renting space at the library until the Law and Justice Center and historic courthouse projects were complete. The furniture will remain at the library.• Heard from Russell that Heartland Community College now offers an associate’s degree completely through its Pontiac satellite. Students can earn associate’s degrees in Pontiac without having to take any classes at the Normal campus.